County Offering Assistance to Job Seekers

Burlington County freeholders, along with the Burlington County Workforce Investment Board, will host a regional job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the Burlington Center Mall on Route 541 in Burlington Township.  

At the job fair, employers will interview hundreds of job seekers for opportunities at their companies. The event is designed to give those looking for jobs the ability to have personal contact with local employers.

“During these current economic conditions and increased unemployment, we know how important it is to bring together job seekers and companies looking for talented individuals,” said Burlington County Freeholder Joe Donnelly.

So far, 53 companies have confirmed participation in the event. More companies sign on to attend each day. By the day of the event, the number of companies expected to attend will nearly double. Jobs range from entry-level to management. Participating companies will represent industries such as health care, customer service, hospitality, finance, sales, skilled trades, transportation, security and more.

“This job fair is ideal for businesses to meet talented local potential employees to fill their job vacancies,” said Donnelly. “This is also a great opportunity for employers to receive valuable exposure for their companies.”

The Burlington County Workforce Investment Board has a proven record of accomplishment in hosting successful events aimed at connecting employers and job seekers. Employers will also have the opportunity to gather information on various financial incentives that may be available to them to defray their operating costs. For example, the county offers an On-The-Job Training program, where employers may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in funding for eligible new hires.

So that job seekers are prepared for the fair, the county will hold a free resume review night from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Human Services Building, 795 Woodlane Road. Attendees are asked to bring their resume on a flash drive for instant updating.

Resume review night attendees are encouraged to register in advance by calling 609-518-3900 or visit BurlingtonCountyWorks.com for more information. Employment experts will offer advice about proper style, formatting and content when composing a resume. Job hunters will spend up to 20 minutes in private consultation with one of the experts, who come from a variety of local companies. Participants who are not registered in advance will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.

On Tuesday, there will also be a free workshop, “Completing Job Applications,” which will offer tips on completing job applications both online and on paper, and what employers are looking for and what to do when you run into an online problem when completing your application. Advance registration is not required for this workshop.

During the job fair, SoJO 104.9 FM Radio host Tom Morgan will be broadcasting from 10 a.m. to noon, Monster.com will provide a resume-writing workshop, and a resource area will be available with materials for veterans, information about the local transportation system, and other programs and services that can assist all those in need.

Employers interested in participating in the job fair should contact the Workforce Investment Board at 609-265-5603 or download a registration form at BurlingtonCountyWorks.com and submit it no later than Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Information provided by the Burlington County Office of Public Information